Nursing bra conversion

ABSTRACT

Nursing bra conversion garments and methods are disclosed. Nursing bra conversion allows conversion of bras from one configuration into another, increasing the likelihood of extending the useful lifespan of the bra garment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority is claimed to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/443,528,entitled “Nursing Bra Conversion”, filed Feb. 16, 2011, which isincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Nursing bras are a popular product in use today. Nursing bras providenursing convenience as well as fashion and comfort for nursing mothers.Traditionally, when a mother eventually stops nursing her baby, hernursing bras may be stored for use in nursing possible subsequentbabies, given away, or discarded.

SUMMARY

Nursing bra conversion garments and methods are disclosed. Nursing braconversion allows conversion of bras from one configuration intoanother, increasing the likelihood of extending the useful lifespan ofthe bra garment.

Some example convertible bra garments may include two breast cupsattached side by side, two strap keeps, each strap keep positionedwithin one of the breast cups, two shoulder straps, two fasteners, andtwo fastener replacements. Each fastener may be configured to attach toa shoulder strap, a breast cup, and a strap keep, and each fastener maybe configured to allow attaching and detaching of the breast cup fromthe fastener to provide a first configuration for the convertible bragarment. The fastener replacements may be attached to the bra garmentand configured to replace the two fasteners, that is, to attach to ashoulder strap, a breast cup, and a strap keep, to provide a secondconfiguration for the convertible bra garment. A lateral back strap mayalso attach to each of the breast cups and extend around the back, and afar end of each shoulder strap may attach to the lateral back strap.Each shoulder strap may also pass through a fastener and attach to aslider, allowing adjustment of a shoulder strap length.

A variety of fastener configurations are possible. The fasteners may forexample be configured with semi-permanent attachments to the shoulderstraps and strap keeps, and may comprise a clip structure configured toattach and detach the breast cup. Similarly, a variety of fastenerreplacement configurations are possible. The fastener replacements mayfor example be configured to make a semi-permanent attachment to theshoulder straps, a breast cups, and strap keeps in the secondconfiguration for the convertible bra garment, e.g., where the fastenerreplacements are configured as continuous rings. The fastenerreplacements may also be configured to make an attachable and detachableattachment to one or more of the shoulder straps, a breast cups, and astrap keeps, e.g., where the fastener replacements are configured asspiral attachment structures.

Some example convertible bra garments may be provided with a convertiblebra garment kit, in which the fastener replacements are provided withthe kit, instead of attached to the bra garment.

Some example methods of manufacturing a convertible bra garment mayinclude attaching a fastener to each of two shoulder straps and strapkeeps, wherein each fastener is configured to attach to a shoulderstrap, a strap keep, and a breast cup, and each fastener is configuredto allow attaching and detaching of the breast cup from the fastener toprovide a first configuration for the convertible bra garment; andattaching two fastener replacements to the bra garment, wherein thefastener replacements are configured to replace the fasteners, whereineach fastener replacement is configured to attach to a shoulder strap, abreast cup, and a strap keep to provide a second configuration for theconvertible bra garment.

Some example methods of converting a convertible bra garment from afirst configuration to a second configuration may include removing afastener from each of two shoulder straps and strap keeps, wherein eachfastener is configured to attach to a shoulder strap, a strap keep, anda breast cup, and each fastener is configured to allow attaching anddetaching of the breast cup from the fastener to provide a firstconfiguration for the convertible bra garment; removing two fastenerreplacements from the bra garment, wherein the fastener replacements areconfigured to replace the fasteners, wherein each fastener replacementis configured to attach to a shoulder strap, a breast cup, and a strapkeep to provide a second configuration for the convertible bra garment;and attaching each fastener replacement to a shoulder strap, breast cup,and a strap keep to configure the bra according to the secondconfiguration for the convertible bra garment. In embodiments in whichthe fastener replacements are not attached to the bra garment, e.g. inmethods involving a convertible bra garment kit, the step of removingtwo fastener replacements may be omitted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example breast cup, strap keep, shoulder strap andfastener according to a first configuration for a convertible bragarment, and illustrates the breast cup, strap keep, shoulder strap andfastener replacement according to a second configuration for aconvertible bra garment, and illustrates example instructions accordingto a method of converting a garment from a first configuration to asecond configuration.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example convertible bra garment and two fastenerreplacements attached to the bra garment, as well as exampleinstructions according to a method of converting a garment from a firstconfiguration to a second configuration.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example spiral attachment structure.

FIG. 4 illustrates example methods of manufacturing a convertible bragarment.

FIG. 5 illustrates example methods of converting a convertible bragarment from a first configuration to a second configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example breast cup 120, strap keep 130, shoulderstrap 110 and fastener 140, comprising fastener elements 140A and 140B,according to a first configuration 100 for a convertible bra garment.FIG. 1 also illustrates the breast cup 120, strap keep 130, shoulderstrap 110 and fastener replacement 160 according to a secondconfiguration 150 for a convertible bra garment, as well as exampleinstructions according to a method of converting a bra garment from afirst configuration to a second configuration.

When the bra garment is in the first configuration 100, the fastener 140attaches the cup 120, strap keep 130, and shoulder strap 110. In FIG. 1,fastener 140 comprises a clip-type structure comprising fastenerelements 140A and 140B. Fastener element 140A comprises a hook or otherattachable and detachable attachment structure, which is configured tomake detachable attachment to the fastener element 140B.

An attachable and detachable attachment, also referred to as adetachable attachment, is defined herein as any attachment that does notrequire tools or materials, such as thread or glue, and so can beattached and detached by hand. In FIG. 1, for example, fastener element140A may be detachably attachable to fastener element 140B, by passingthe hook structure of fastener element 140A into the window of fastenerelement 140B.

Meanwhile, fastener element 140A is configured to make semi-permanentattachment to the shoulder strap 110 and the strap keep 130. Fastenerelement 140B is configured to make semi-permanent attachment to the cup120. A semi-permanent attachment is defined herein as any attachmentthat requires tools or materials, such as thread or glue, and so cannotbe attached and detached by hand. In FIG. 1, for example, fastenerelement 140A is semi-permanently attached to shoulder strap 110 bypassing the shoulder strap 110 through a top window of the fastenerelement 140A then sewing or gluing the shoulder strap 110 to itself orto the slider. Fastener element 140A may be semi-permanently attached tostrap keep 130 by passing the strap keep 130 through a bottom window ofthe fastener element 140A, then sewing or gluing the strap keep 130 toitself.

The terms “semi-permanent”, “attachable and detachable”, and“detachable” are used herein to describe attachment types. The term“attachment” when not further modified, refers to semi-permanent,detachable, or any other attachment type.

In the first configuration 100, fastener 140 is not limited to theclip-type fastener, nor to the particular set of semi-permanent anddetachable attachment options illustrated in FIG. 1. Those of skill ingarment design will appreciate that a wide variety of fastener types areavailable and new fastener types may be developed in the future. Thefirst configuration 100 may make use of any fastener type, which mayprovide any arrangement of semi-permanent and/or detachable attachmentoptions for attaching to the cup 120, strap keep 130, and shoulder strap110. In some embodiments, the first configuration 100 may includenursing fasteners, such as fastener 140, which generally providedetachable attachments to the cups 120, while attaching differently, forexample, semi-permanently, to the strap keep 130 and shoulder strap 110.

When the bra garment is in the second configuration 150, the fastener160 attaches the cup 120, strap keep 130, and shoulder strap 110. InFIG. 1, fastener replacement 160 comprises a continuous ring structureconfigured to make semi-permanent attachments to the cup 120, strap keep130, and shoulder strap 110. Fastener replacement 160 may for example bea ring of sufficiently sturdy material such as metal or plastic. As withfastener 140, fastener 160 is not limited to the ring structure, nor isfastener 160 limited to the particular set of attachment optionsillustrated in FIG. 1. The second configuration 150 may make use of anyfastener type, which may provide any arrangement of semi-permanentand/or detachable attachment options for attaching to the cup 120, strapkeep 130, and shoulder strap 110.

In some embodiments, the fastener replacement 160 may be configured toprovide a window configured to allow the shoulder strap 110 to slidethrough, preserving adjustability of the shoulder strap 110. Forexample, the ring structure illustrated in FIG. 1 allows adjustment ofthe shoulder strap 110, as would a spiral fastener structure 170illustrated in FIG. 3. As a formerly nursing mother's breast sizeshrinks, the ability to adjust the shoulder strap may allow continuedsatisfactory fit of the convertible bra garment to some extent. In someembodiments, the fastener replacements 160 provided in a secondconfiguration 150 may include “ordinary use” fasteners, i.e., fastenersthat are not designed for attaching and detaching a cup 120 for nursing.Ordinary use fasteners may comprise a same attachment type for attachingto the cups 120, strap keeps 130, and shoulder straps 110. For example,fastener replacements 160 are configured for semi-permanent attachmentto cups 120, strap keeps 130, and shoulder straps 110.

The second configuration 150 is defined herein as different from thefirst configuration 100. The second configuration 150 may be differentin fastener replacement 160 having a different fastener type fromfastener 140, and/or in fastener replacement 160 having a different setof semi-permanent and/or detachable attachment options for attaching tothe cup 120, strap keep 130, and shoulder strap 110. In someembodiments, the difference between the first configuration 100 and thesecond configuration 150 may include nursing fasteners configured withdetachable attachment to the cup 120 in the first configuration 100, andordinary use fasteners configured with semi-permanent attachment to thecup 120 in the second configuration 150. In some embodiments, thedifference between the first configuration 100 and the secondconfiguration 150 may include a difference in fastener type betweenfastener 140 and fastener replacement 160.

In FIG. 1, a slider is illustrated on the shoulder strap 100. Theshoulder strap 110 passes through a fastener and attaches to a slider,allowing adjustment of a shoulder strap length.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example convertible bra garment 200 and twofastener replacements 160 attached to the bra garment 200, which may beused in a method of converting a garment 200 from a first configurationto a second configuration. In FIG. 2, the fastener replacements 160 aresemi-permanently attached to the bra garment 200 by being sewn to a tagin situated between the cups 120. However, it will be appreciated thatthe fastener replacements 160 may be detachably attached in someembodiments, and may be attached to any location on the bra garment. Insome embodiments, the fastener replacements 160 may be providedseparately, wherein the fastener replacements 160 are not attached tothe bra garment 200, as part of a convertible bra garment kit.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example convertible bra garment 200 in a firstconfiguration, the bra garment 200 comprising breast cups 120, strapkeeps (not visible in FIG. 2), shoulder straps 110, fasteners 140 andfastener replacements 160. It will be appreciated that in FIG. 2, alateral back strap attaches to each of the breast cups 120 and extendsaround the back of the wearer, wherein a far end of each shoulder strap110 attaches to the lateral back strap.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example spiral attachment structure 170. Thespiral attachment structure 170 is detachably attachable to the shoulderstrap 110, cup 120 and strap keep 130 as shown. Another example of aspiral attachment structure 170 is a key-ring type fastener. FIG. 3provides an example fastener type which may be used as a fastener 140 ora fastener replacement 160 in some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates example methods of manufacturing a convertible bragarment. An example method of manufacturing a convertible bra garment,may comprise, for example, steps 401 and 402. Step 401 may includeattaching a fastener to each of two shoulder straps and strap keeps,wherein each fastener is configured to attach to a shoulder strap, astrap keep, and a breast cup, and each fastener is configured to allowattaching and detaching of the breast cup from the fastener to provide afirst configuration for the convertible bra garment. Step 402 mayinclude attaching two fastener replacements to the bra garment, whereinthe fastener replacements are configured to replace the fasteners,wherein each fastener replacement is configured to attach to a shoulderstrap, a breast cup, and a strap keep to provide a second configurationfor the convertible bra garment.

FIG. 5 illustrates example methods of converting a convertible bragarment from a first configuration to a second configuration. An examplemethod of converting a convertible bra garment may comprise, forexample, steps 501, 502, and 503. Step 501 may include removing afastener from each of two shoulder straps and strap keeps, wherein eachfastener is configured to attach to a shoulder strap, a strap keep, anda breast cup, and each fastener is configured to allow attaching anddetaching of the breast cup from the fastener to provide a firstconfiguration for the convertible bra garment. Step 502 may includeremoving two fastener replacements from the bra garment, wherein thefastener replacements are configured to replace the fasteners, whereineach fastener replacement is configured to attach to a shoulder strap, abreast cup, and a strap keep to provide a second configuration for theconvertible bra garment. Step 503 may include attaching each fastenerreplacement to a shoulder strap, breast cup, and a strap keep toconfigure the bra according to the second configuration for theconvertible bra garment.

In some embodiments, for example, when the fastener replacements are notattached to the bra garment, step 502 may be omitted. Step 501 mayinclude removing a fastener from each of two shoulder straps and strapkeeps, wherein each fastener is configured to attach to a shoulderstrap, a strap keep, and a breast cup, and each fastener is configuredto allow attaching and detaching of the breast cup from the fastener toprovide a first configuration for the convertible bra garment. The nextstep (e.g., step 503) may include attaching a fastener replacement toeach of the shoulder straps, breast cups, and a strap keeps, wherein thefastener replacements are configured to replace the fasteners, whereineach fastener replacement is configured to attach to a shoulder strap, abreast cup, and a strap keep to provide a second configuration for theconvertible bra garment.

While various embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects andembodiments will be apparent to those skilled in art.

1. A convertible bra garment, comprising: two breast cups attached sideby side; two strap keeps, each strap keep positioned within one of thebreast cups; two shoulder straps; two nursing fasteners, each fastenerconfigured to attach to a shoulder strap, a breast cup, and a strapkeep, and each nursing fastener configured to allow attaching anddetaching of the breast cup from the nursing fastener to provide a firstconfiguration for the convertible bra garment; and two fastenerreplacements attached to the bra garment and configured to replace thetwo nursing fasteners, wherein each fastener replacement is an ordinaryuse fastener configured to attach to a shoulder strap, a breast cup, anda strap keep to provide a second configuration for the convertible bragarment.
 2. The convertible bra garment of claim 1, further comprising alateral back strap attaching to each of the breast cups and extendingaround the back, wherein a far end of each shoulder strap attaches tothe lateral back strap.
 3. The convertible bra garment of claim 1,further comprising a slider on each of the shoulder straps, wherein eachshoulder strap passes through a fastener and attaches to a slider,allowing adjustment of a shoulder strap length.
 4. The convertible bragarment of claim 1, wherein the nursing fasteners are configured withsemi-permanent attachments to the shoulder straps and strap keeps, and aclip structure configured to attach and detach the breast cup.
 5. Theconvertible bra garment of claim 1, wherein the fastener replacementsare configured to make a semi-permanent attachment to the shoulderstraps, a breast cups, and a strap keeps in the second configuration forthe convertible bra garment.
 6. The convertible bra garment of claim 5,wherein the fastener replacements are configured as continuous rings. 7.The convertible bra garment of claim 1, wherein the fastenerreplacements are configured to make an attachable and detachableattachment to one or more of the shoulder straps, breast cups, and strapkeeps in the second configuration for the convertible bra garment. 8.The convertible bra garment of claim 7, wherein the fastenerreplacements are configured as spiral attachment structures.
 9. Aconvertible bra garment kit, comprising: two breast cups attached sideby side; two strap keeps, each strap keep positioned within one of thebreast cups; two shoulder straps; two nursing fasteners, each nursingfastener configured to attach to a shoulder strap, a breast cup, and astrap keep, and each nursing fastener configured to allow attaching anddetaching of the breast cup from the nursing fastener to provide a firstconfiguration for the convertible bra garment; and two fastenerreplacements provided with the kit and configured to replace the nursingfasteners, wherein each fastener replacement is an ordinary use fastenerconfigured to attach to a shoulder strap, a breast cup, and a strap keepto provide a second configuration for the convertible bra garment, andwherein the second configuration does not allow attaching and detachingof the breast cup from the shoulder strap and strap keep according tothe first configuration.
 10. A method of manufacturing a convertible bragarment, comprising: attaching a nursing fastener to each of twoshoulder straps and strap keeps, wherein each nursing fastener isconfigured to attach to a shoulder strap, a strap keep, and a breastcup, and each nursing fastener is configured to allow attaching anddetaching of the breast cup from the fastener to provide a firstconfiguration for the convertible bra garment; and attaching twofastener replacements to the bra garment, wherein the fastenerreplacements are configured to replace the nursing fasteners, whereineach fastener replacement is an ordinary use fastener configured toattach to a shoulder strap, a breast cup, and a strap keep to provide asecond configuration for the convertible bra garment.
 11. A method ofconverting a convertible bra garment from a first configuration to asecond configuration, comprising: removing a nursing fastener from eachof two shoulder straps and strap keeps, wherein each nursing fastener isconfigured to attach to a shoulder strap, a strap keep, and a breastcup, and each nursing fastener is configured to allow attaching anddetaching of the breast cup from the nursing fastener to provide a firstconfiguration for the convertible bra garment; removing two fastenerreplacements from the bra garment, wherein the fastener replacements areconfigured to replace the nursing fasteners, wherein each fastenerreplacement is an ordinary use fastener configured to attach to ashoulder strap, a breast cup, and a strap keep to provide a secondconfiguration for the convertible bra garment; and attaching eachfastener replacement to a shoulder strap, breast cup, and a strap keepto configure the bra according to the second configuration for theconvertible bra garment.
 12. A method of converting a convertible bragarment from a first configuration to a second configuration,comprising: removing a nursing fastener from each of two shoulder strapsand strap keeps, wherein each nursing fastener is configured to attachto a shoulder strap, a strap keep, and a breast cup, and each nursingfastener is configured to allow attaching and detaching of the breastcup from the nursing fastener to provide a first configuration for theconvertible bra garment; attaching a fastener replacement to each of theshoulder straps, breast cups, and a strap keeps, wherein the fastenerreplacements are configured to replace the nursing fasteners, whereineach fastener replacement is an ordinary use fastener configured toattach to a shoulder strap, a breast cup, and a strap keep to provide asecond configuration for the convertible bra garment.